Thousand pay respect to officer Joseph Gomm

Thousands of people, from fellow corrections officers and law enforcement to complete strangers, took time Thursday to pay their respects and offer tributes to Officer Joseph Gomm. His family had wondered whether he really would have wanted a large funeral service and police procession. But Shawn Yurich, a friend and colleague, told mourners Joe would approve of 'whatever' family and friends needed to heal.

Gomm was killed after an inmate attack at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater. He was the first corrections officer to be killed while on duty, according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

“Joe was a man of incredible authenticity, profound integrity and immense compassion,” said Stillwater prison chaplain Martin Shanahan who presided over the service.

The Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association worked with the Gomm family and Minnesota Department of Corrections to coordinate the service. That included an honor guard, bagpipe band, firing line, bugler, flag folding and a horse-drawn caisson.